What took Labour so long?
08/02/2024
In his blog, Jim weighs up the different factors that have lead Labour to ditch their £28bn green energy promise. He also looks at the rise of the right in the Tory Party.
Downtown take on councils’ crisis
01/02/2024
MPs say the Town Hall financial crisis is out of control. Jim reports on that, and a Downtown event which shows that councils and business increasingly want to work together for regeneration.
Tax cuts or better services?
25/01/2024
Do people want tax cuts or better public services? That may be a big issue at the election, but perhaps not, as Jim explains in his blog. He also pays tribute to Tony Lloyd and reports on the choice of his successor in Rochdale.
History not on Labour’s side
18/01/2024
Is Sir Keir Starmer heading for a landslide or will the General Election be a close run thing? Jim reports on two major surveys this week that reached very different conclusions.
Post haste
11/01/2024
Jim is unimpressed with the sudden urgency ministers are applying to decades of post office injustice. He also looks ahead to a year of elections.
Winners & Losers in 2023
14/12/2023
Jim gives us his winners and losers from a year which, he thinks, leaves
us with little to be optimistic about.
Obsessed Prime Ministers
07/12/2023
The Prime Minister has created a first class political crisis by staking the whole government’s credibility on the narrow issue of Stop the Boats according to Jim in his latest blog.
Bankruptcy and vision, hand in hand
30/11/2023
Despite a crisis looming over Town Hall finances, Jim reports on major plans for the future launched this week by local authorities across the North West.
Will the Tories be forgiven?
23/11/2023
The Chancellor is cherpy but is he entitled to be? Jim analyses the Autumn Statement and Labour’s pledge to back the tax cuts.
At least inflation’s down!
16/11/2023
Jim reviews one of the most dramatic weeks in British politics. Apart from the news on inflation, he thinks the outlook is bleak for the Prime Minister.
Braverman set for sacking
09/11/2023
Jim thinks the Home Secretary is on the point of sacking or resignation. Whatever happens, his blog takes a longer term look at Suella Braverman’s plans for her future in politics.
Caution or vision in the King’s speech?
02/11/2023
Jim looks forward to the King’s Speech and asks if it will prove a launch pad for a Sunak recovery,or a fag end set of bills that shows the Tories time is up.